CSF

It came on at 10:00 (I think). George Ofman had on various announcers previewing the divisions. He had Chip Caray on for the Cubs and he gushed about Prior/Maddux/Sammy yada, yada, yada. And then all the Cub fans called with high optimism. 30 minutes later, Ofman had Hawk on to preview the Sox and AL Central. Couple of notes from the show: * He re-iterated that Guillen was the best hire for this team and might even get into a couple of fights by the time this year is over. He mentioned that there are alot of good Latin American managers, though I'm not sure why he put Piniella on that list. * He praised Colon as a good guy in the clubhouse (as he also did with Graffy) and said while he would be a big loss, other guys should help pick up the slack. He said Garland has been the whipping boy the past couple of years, and really thinks he can win 15-18 games this year. He also feels the 5th spot is Danny Wright's to lose, and also mentioned other players such as Grilli & Rauch. I was concerned when he also mentioned Person, 'cause Ofman had to tell him he was done for the year (BTW, they were calling Hawk from Orlando). * He also re-iterated that Harris and Rowand have more range and can pick up the slack. * As for division rivals, Hawk felt the Sox would get the most competition from the Royals, and again he praised Tony Pena, who he feels will get the most out of Juan Gonzalez. He feels Minnesota lost quite a bit with Pierzienski (who he said was a Sox-killer), & the pen with Guardado & Hawkins exiting. He said unless Detroit makes alot of trades that they're not in the hunt, though he did like the IRod signing, and as for Cleveland, he said they're not quite there yet. Ofman pressed him on KW possibly swinging a deal, and Hawk said it was possible. After Ofman hung up with Hawk, and got Sox fans on the line, all of 'em were pretty much pissed and felt that all of Hawk's talk was BS. One caller wanted to know why Hawk didn't raise the issue of Maggs when he said at SoxFest that Maggs was probably leaving, while others said that losing Colon/Alomar was huge and Rowand/Harris can't pick up the slack. Ofman also talked to Charley Steiner, and he mentioned an ARod for Soriano deal is possible and that Cashman is looking into it. Didn't get much news on the other divisions, but ESPN 1000 is having their Talking Baseball segment, so if any news comes out of it, I'll post it for you guys.

You'd think "The Worldwide Leader in Sports" would even as much have a tiny snippet of news at least on the Sox page about Person? Nope. However, if Jeter gets a paper cut, call Pawtucket Gammons, STAT!

On Mac, Jurko & Harry, a caller referred to ESPN's top baseball writer as "Pawtucket" Gammons. That is a perfect analogy if I've ever heard one. Then Mac railed against ESPN for their East Coast Bias, saying anything that doesn't happen past the city of Philly doesn't get broadcast.

Loshe has killed the Sox in the past, though he did struggle a bit against the Sox last year. Radke usually struggles against the Sox, unless it's a big game, then he pitches like Cy Young against them.

I was listening to Mark Silverman & Carmen De Falco's show on ESPN Radio 1000 and they had Dave Revsine on, who handles some of their studio college basketball and occasional Sportscenter duties and he said aside from following Northwestern (his alma mater), he also mentioned he still follows the Sox. But he also mentioned how the Sox have such a bad public image and how the organization hasn't done anything about it. It's at least good to know that among that entire East Coast operation, there's a White Sox fan or 2 lurking around.

The Cubune at its finest!

I would be severly pissed if Frank is traded. But I also think it's gotten to the "point of no return" territory. Too many things have been said, and egos have been bruised. Frank would probably welcome a trade to the Dodgers at this point.

Love this one: Championships Sox ranked 105th Cubs ranked 88th Guess ESPN lowered their standards to include a meaningless playoff series vs Atlanta. Rather than that, 94 (soon to be 95) years and counting. And stadium experience: Sox: 100th Cubs 5th To ESPN, I say enjoy the beer soaked Urine Garden.

From Rotoworld.com: The Twins aren't showing any interest in signing their remaining two arbitration-eligible players, Doug Mientkiewicz and Johan Santana, to multiyear deals. GM Terry Ryan is just hoping to get both players signed to one-year deals prior to their hearings. Mientkiewicz, who was paid $1.75 million last year, filed an arbitration figure of $3.6 million, compared with the team's $2.5 million offer. Santana, paid $335,000 in 2003, asked for $2.45 million and was offered $1.6 million. I can understand Mientkiewicz, but Santana? He's the best pitcher they got. The only way I can see them doing this is because Santana's injury may have been more serious than they thought. Otherwise, it's a stupid move.

ESPN Ultimate Standings Since it's ESPN, I'm not surprised at the ranking spot, but I wonder how much it would change if a World Series came to 35th and Shields. As for the other teams, the other baseball team in Chicago checked in at #45, Bulls #93, & coming in DEAD LAST, the Blackhawks at #120. How the mighty have fallen. And the Twinkies at #51?

Hawk rules! I remember last year in the Metrodome when Torrie Hunter robbed CLee of a home run, Hawk was already saying "You can put it on the board......NO!" You could just hear in his voice how pissed he was. Of course, those bastards at ESPN played that bit a couple of times on Baseball Tonight. But it's ESPN, so I should know better by now.

As much as I want to believe it, like every Sox fan, I'll keep my 99.99999999999999% of doubt and hold out for that .000000000000001% bit of hope.

Well, we're totally screwed now. And to think, I had complete and total optimism with Mr. Zero coming aboard. Oh well, there's always next year.

BTW, I voted for the Blackhawks. Those poor guys have suffered long enough. Though if Reinsdorf wants to sell, I surely wouldn't stand in his way.

From Chicagosports.com: Sox perk up for Takatsu By Teddy Greenstein Tribune staff reporter January 28, 2004, 9:07 PM CST The White Sox are going the extra mile to ensure that Shingo Takatsu, the team's first Japanese-born player, feels welcome. His contract is loaded with perks similar to those of other Japanese players in the U.S. Each year the Sox will pay up to $50,000 for an interpreter, $25,000 for a housing allowance and provide six round-trip business-class tickets from Tokyo to Chicago, so Takatsu's wife and two kids can visit twice. He also gets a full no-trade clause in 2004 and if the Sox pick up his 2005 option at $2.5 million, he can veto trades to 10 clubs. The veteran reliever can also earn bonuses above his $750,000 salary—$250,000 if he appears in 65 games as a setup man or $500,000 if he finishes 60 games as the closer. Copyright © 2004, The Chicago Tribune

What Chicago team desperately needs a new owner? 25.3% Bears (841 responses) 40.2% Blackhawks (1337 responses) 9.5% Bulls (316 responses) 4.8% Cubs (158 responses) 20.2% White Sox (670 responses) 3322 total I guess those 158 schmos believe that $1500 is just fine for ticket pricing and dealing with losing seasons are acceptable. Of course, like the Cubune is ever going to allow any negative pub on their newspaper.

The Tribune putting down the Sox? NO! You don't say!

Ditto. It's ironic that none of our ballyhooed pitching prospects have panned out in the last 6-7 years, but the ace of the staff came via the 38th round.

Oops.

I didn't think she was too negative. She pointed out that to avoid a possible problem in ST, that Guillen & KW either need to resolve their differences with Frank or trade him. Besides, the negative info about the White Sox usually comes from her clueless colleauge.

Mariotti joins WMVP Monday January 24, 2004 BY JAY MARIOTTI SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST BY CHRIS DE LUCA Staff Reporter In a shakeup WMVP-AM (1000) has been plotting for years, a second local sports-radio talk show -- hosted by Chicago Sun-Times sports columnist Jay Mariotti -- will be added to the Chicago ESPN Radio weekday lineup Monday. WMVP has been looking to add a second local show in its battle against WSCR-AM (670). The show hosted by Mariotti will knock Tony Kornheiser's national show off the air in Chicago, while WMVP will retain Jim Rome's national show. Mariotti said an agreement has been reached in principle, though a contract has not been signed. Mariotti is scheduled to meet with station management today. Mariotti -- already a regular on ''Around the Horn,'' a daily sports talk show on ESPN television -- is expected to be joined on the show by a co-host or co-hosts, a detail that is still being discussed. The show will air from 9-11 a.m weekdays. The Mariotti show will join the ''Mac, Jurko & Harry Show'' already running on WMVP and hosted by Dan McNeil, John Jurkovic and Harry Teinowitz. Since ESPN bought WMVP four years ago, it has been searching for a second local show. The latest venture will be a direct shot by WMVP in its battle with WSCR. In the Arbitron Fall 2003 ratings book released this month, WSCR-AM still is tops in the market, but WMVP-AM is gaining ground. Among men 25-54 -- the demographic advertisers covet most -- WMVP had a 3.2 audience share in afternoon drive (3-7 p.m.) compared to a 2.8 for "The Score.'' A year ago, in the fall 2002 book, WSCR had a 2.9-to-2.1 edge. It's the first win ever for WMVP in that category. Contributing: John Jackson So now it's not even bad enough this tool bashes the Sox in his daily garbage column, but now he'll get 2 hours to do it on the Sox flagship station no less. Besides, I thought Kornheiser was funny. Tragic. Simply tragic.

White Sox have many questions, few answers January 25, 2004 BY CAROL SLEZAK SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST His designated hitter is incommunicado, presumably in a funk. His All-Star right fielder remains trade bait. His center fielder and second baseman are huge question marks. His starting pitching is at least one arm short of a rotation. And his team will be managed by a rookie. It has been a tough offseason for White Sox general manager Ken Williams. The Sox were in a race for the American League Central title four months ago, but that team bears little resemblance to the current squad. That team had Roberto Alomar playing second base and Carl Everett playing center field (and, most important, hitting) down the stretch. That team had Bartolo Colon eating up innings all season long. All three players are gone now, lost to free agency. They haven't been replaced. Failed manager Jerry Manuel is gone, too, replaced by Ozzie Guillen. And in November, while addressing the media for the first time as manager, Guillen singled out Frank Thomas for special criticism. And if you thought Guillen's comments were inappropriate -- or ill-timed, at least -- you're not the only one. Thomas, who is prone to funks, isn't returning team phone calls. Which, given his history, most assuredly means he is ticked off. So much for the concept of team chemistry, which Williams thinks is important to the Sox' prospects. "I placed a couple of phone calls,'' Williams said. "I haven't heard back. But, hopefully, the big fella shows up at spring training and is ready to go. ... It is what it is.'' Another Thomas blowup is festering. One day soon, likely during spring training, he will explode. For his ego has been wounded again, this time by Guillen, who told the world that Thomas wasn't a team player. Guillen has tried calling Thomas, too. To no avail. How can Guillen and Thomas, former teammates who didn't get along, coexist now? It's unlikely that they can. But perhaps because he has more pressing concerns than Thomas' moods or Guillen's mouth, Williams doesn't seem overly concerned, saying only, "We made overtures.'' And so they have, however halfhearted. Williams has yet to make any overtures to Magglio Ordonez, though. You remember Ordonez. He's the All-Star right fielder whose contract expires after this season. The guy the Sox want to unload before then, so they can get something in return. Because they're unlikely to spend to re-sign him. Because they're broke. "[Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf] wants the best team that we can put out on the field,'' Williams said. "He's never run the operation for profit, [but he wants to] at least break even on this thing.'' So it's left to Williams, who desperately wants to win, to assemble a contender on a minuscule budget. A budget, he says, that he already has overshot. No, he's not worried about Ordonez, a professional who won't hold a grudge about being shopped around. And who has time to worry about a moody designated hitter's moods when there are so many holes to fill on the cheap? In lieu of Alomar, the Sox will play Willie Harris at second. In lieu of Everett, the Sox will play Aaron Rowand in center. Maybe this is what Williams meant when he said the team needed more "grinders.'' Rowand, at least, certainly fits the description of an intense, energetic, team-first player. But, like Harris, he hasn't proved he's an every-day major-leaguer. "Does it sting that we lost [Alomar and Everett]?'' Williams said. "Absolutely. But we gave it our best shot. Last [July], we were focused on adding, but we were depending on winning to produce a carry-over effect in revenue for this year. That didn't happen.'' So Williams has been forced to be creative. He signed a reclamation project, Robert Person, who once was a good pitcher but had arm surgery in 2002 and is a long shot to make the team. Danny Wright, Jon Rauch and Jason Grilli will join the battle for the Nos. 4 and 5 spots in the rotation. Colon, they are not. But at least Williams has signed another closer. Or, to be precise, another pitcher who would like to be the closer. When he began shopping himself to major-league teams, 35-year-old Shingo Takatsu, the all-time saves leader in Japan, wanted a guarantee that he would be used as a closer. Williams said the Sox gave Takatsu no such guarantee. Billy Koch, who failed magnificently for the Sox last season, is the closer. (Unless Williams can get someone to take Koch's fat contract off his hands, that is.) Takatsu, a newcomer to the United States who speaks little English, no doubt charmed Sox fans Friday when he said, "I want to make you happy in October.'' But Sox fans always have cared more about victories than charisma. In fact, they will embrace a sullen Thomas if he produces at the plate. But if solid chemistry is important to winning and if, as Williams said, "Frank is a big piece of the [chemistry] puzzle,'' then Williams and Guillen should try harder to make peace with Thomas. Now. Or trade him. To avoid the inevitable spring-training blowup and the mess that inevitably will follow. Because it has been a tough offseason. The Sox can't afford anymore distractions. Letters to our sports columnists appear Sunday. Send e-mail to [email protected]. Include your full name, hometown and a daytime phone number. You see that, Jay. It is possible to write an article about the White Sox without being a complete and total asswipe.

From Chicagosports.com: 1. A humorless bunch, the White Sox could end up as happy to have Shingo Takatsu for his personality as for his pitching. Japan's all-time saves leader is known for a big smile, which is something that nobody ever has said about Hideo Nomo, believe me. A teammate, Tetsuya Iida, was hurt and unable to play in the Japan Series once, so the other Yakult Swallows wrote the center fielder's number on their caps. Takatsu went them one better. Iida's face had two small moles, so Takatsu drew two white dots on his cap and pitched that way. I hope he and fun-loving new manager Ozzie Guillen can have some in 2004. By the way, "Gee-yen" kind of sounds Japanese. 2. Would the Sox please excuse me if I pitch a trade? Frank Thomas to the Dodgers for pitcher Odalis Perez and infielder Alex Cora. L.A. desperately needs a right-handed bat. Perez is every bit as good a lefty as Mark Buehrle, maybe better. Cora is an underrated hitter and a great glove man who can start at second and fill in for error-prone Jose Valentin at short. His brother Joey Cora is now a Sox coach. I know Thomas still has a following here, but I honestly believe Chicago would get the best of such a swap. And he can play first base a lot better for L.A., better than Shawn Green can, if you ask me, which you didn't. Yeah, ooookay Mike. Perez is better than Buerhle. Of course your'e right. After all, Buerhle's only won 53 games in 4 years. But by all means, let's start the shrine to Odalis Perez and his 38 wins in 4 years. The Cubune at its finest.

Chicago White Sox: Endearing themselves to loyal fans, children, and foreigners. Chicago Cubs: Endearing themselves to drunks and Jay Mariotti.